Fastener packages



Feb 2, 1965 v H. T. DEcoT ETAL 3,167,778

FASTENER PACKAGES Filed Oct. 17, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Inventum' lNorman J.' Der/"ah By thai/"Attorney Feb. 2, 1965 Filed Oct. 17, 1962 H.T. DECOT ETAL FASTENER PACKAGES 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Feb. 2, 1965 H. T.DECO-r ETAL 3,167,778

' FASTENER PACKAGES Filed Oct. 17, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 6 mf.; E

XXI

United States Patent Oiice 3,1%??? Patented Feb. 2, 1965 3,167,778 lFASTENER PACKAGES Haroid T. Decot, Wenham, and Norman S. Derrah, Lynn,

Mass., assignors to United lfhoe Machinery Corporation,FierningtonN..I., a corporation of New Jersey Filed Get. 17, 1962, Ser.No. 231,223 17 Claims. (Cl. 1-56) This invention relates to packagedarticles and more particularly to packages of articles, such asfasteners and the like, which may be used with automatic andsemiautomatic fastener inserting tools.

This application is a continuation-in-part of our copending applicationfor United States Letters Patent Serial No. 148,252, filed October 27,1961, and now abandoned.

Continuously increasing use is being made today of manual and poweroperated fastener driving tools to which fasteners, such as nails andthe like, are supplied in prepackaged cartridges. age or cartridge isthat the fasteners must be assembled or oriented therein in such mannerthat they may be driven directly from the package without the need forremoval and/or additional orientation.

Another requirement of the package is that it be simple and foolproof toprevent the fastener becoming jammed orrclogged inthe tool, while at thesame time it must be inexpensive to manufacture.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide an inexpensivepackage for articles, such as fasteners, wherein the articles areassembled and oriented so that they may be readily removed from thepackage one at a time by the normal operationof an instrument, such asav fastener inserting tool.

Another yobject of this invention is to providea package of assembledand oriented fasteners from which fasteners may-be driven one at a timewithout disturbing the arrangement of the remaining fasteners.

Another-object of this invention is to provide a fastener package foruse with driving tools which package is simple and suflicientlyinexpensive to justify being discarded when the fasteners have beenremoved and which permits av saving in time in the operation of thetools.

In accordance `with these objects and as a feature r,of this inventionthere is provided a package of articles, such as fasteners and the like,in which the package is prefer- One requirement of a packof parts willnow be more particularly described with reference to the accompanyingdrawings and pointed out in the claims. It will be understood that theparticular packages shown embodying the invention are by way ofillustration only and not as limitations of the invention. Theprinciples and features of this invention may be employed in varied andnumerous embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention.

In the drawings,

FIG. l is a side elevation of a fastener package made in accordance withthe invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of another fastener package made inaccordance with the invention;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line III-III ou FIG. 1; I

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line IV-IV on FIG. 1 andshowing a fastener before its securing stitch has been ruptured;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 4 showing the fastener afterits securing stitch has been ruptured;vr

FIG. 6 is a side elevation of another form of fastener package made inaccordance with the invention;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along the line VII-VII on FIG. 6; l

FIGS. 8 and 9 are sectional views similar to FIG. 7 wherein the fasteneris shown positioned in slightly different relationships to the holdingstrip;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along the line X-X on FIG. 11;

FIG. 11 is a side elevation of another fastener package made inaccordance with the invention;

FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken along the line XII-XII on FIG. 11;

FIG. 173 is a sectional view taken along the lin XIIIXIII on FIG. 14;

FIG. 14 is aside elevation of another fastener package made inaccordance with the invention; l

FIG. 15 is a sectional view 'taken along the *line Xv-Xv on FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a sectional View taken along the .line

XVI- XVI on FIG. 17;

ably a unitary strip of sheet material with releasable means A ormemberssecuring the articles individually to one side of the strip. Thearticles maybe fasteners, such as nails, screws or the-like, or anyother article having a shank and at least one enlarged end. Thereleasable members securing the articles to the strip are generallyarranged in a line and may include staples, rupturable stitches,frangible cement or adhesive, or the releasable means may bey formedintegrally'with the strip as yieldable spring fingers which hold thearticles individually so that one article at a time may be released fromthe strip while all of the others' are retained in engagement withthe'strip.

The articles are oriented "and arranged relatively to each other andthestrip is so constructed that when each article is driven in a directiongenerally lengthwise of its axis,y

engagement between its` enlarged end land a predetermined portion of thestrip produces a component of force normal to the strip to cause tensionto be applied progressively tothe individual strip portion or discretemember securing it to the strip until it ruptures or otherwise releasesits holding power upon the article. No special removing elements are`required other than a driver or other means for urging thearticlelengthwise of its axis.

The above and other features of the invention including various noveldetails of construction and combinations FIG. 17 is a side elevation ofa fastener package made Y in accordance with this invention wherein theholding means are an integral part of the strip itself;

FIG. 18 is a sectional view taken along the line XVIII--XVIII on FIG.17;

FIG. 19 is a sectional view taken along the line XIX-XIX on FIG. 18;FIG. 20 is another modication of the package similar to the FIG. 17package; and, y

FIG. 2l is a sectional view taken along the line XXI-XXI on FIG. 20.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, the invention is illustrated embodied in apackage of headed fasteners wherein the holding means are frangiblestitches. Thevpackagecomprises an elongated holding strip 2 of Asheetmaterial herein indicated as being liber but which may be any iirmsubstance, such las paper, cardboard, plastic, metal or the like. Aplurality of fasteners, herein illustrated as common nails 4, are eachsecured by a single stitch 6 to the straight as shown. The strip alsomay be curved. The

head 12 of each nail 4 is shown to bein engagement with the'surfaceli ofthe strip Zand at least a portion of its shank 16 also engages thesurface 14. The stitches o are herein illustrated as chain stitches eachof which engagesl the shank 16 of one nail, and when individuallyruptured,

in theV manner hereinafter to be disclosed, will not release of cementor other adhesive may be applied to the re-V verse side of the stitchline. The use of a'strip made of plastic impregnated fiber also lendsadditional holdin power to the lineof stitches.

' It Will be notedv in FIG., 1 that the axes A ofthe ynails 4 areparallel to each other and at right angles to the major axis B of thestrip 2. FIG. 2 shows an alternative manner of assembling the nails 4 inpackaged form wherein their axes A are paralleland inclined at an angleto the major axis B of the strip. Their heads 12 are in contacting,overlapping relationship relative to each other.

VThe angleupon which the artes may be most etiiciently orientedrelatively to the strip ,is taught in United States Letters Patent No.3,031,670, granted May 1, 1962, in the name of Frederick S. Sillars.

ReferringV to FIGS. 4 and 5, which arel sectional views i ofVtl'ie'strip shown in FiG. 1 and are alsoillustrative of the packageshown in FIG. 2, the axes A Yof the nails are fastener machines of thetype shown in UnitedStates Let# tional. Only a single stitch or" eachvline holdseach nail to thezstrip 24. FIGS. 6 and 7 show the. heads 12engaging the surface ofthe upper Vmarginal. camming area 23 while'FGS. 8and 9 -show `alternative arrangements wherein the heads 12 initially areout of engagement with the cammingsurface 28. lFIG. 8 shows the headbelow the upper edge .36 of the strip. and FIG. 9 the head 12 above theupper edge 36. In each instance, however, the

kheads'12 are vengageable with the surface of the inclined either beinginitially in engagement with the camming surface .2S lor engageabletherewith upon movement, is urgedor cammed outwardly by thefsurface 28,a cornponent of force normal to the; strip applying tension to Y theindividual stitch 6 engaging its shank 16. Depending These packages fters Patent No.- 3,012,247, granted December 12,` ,1961, in

the name of Frederick S. Sillars, wherein fasteners are indi-` viduallyremoved from a package by a plunger which en# gages the heads one at atime and drives them substantially lengthwiseof their axes into a workpiece. As a nail is moved downwardly of the strip with its head 12moving Vtoward the stitch 6, it will be seen that the point 13, which Yis thejunctionVV between the head and the shank of the nail.

at Ythe point most remote fromlthe surface i4 of the strip, will movedownwardly in a path substantially/,parallel with the surface-14 alongthe dotted line shown in FIG.

4.I Thismaintains the upper portion of theshank 16 away` fromthesurface14.V This movement progressively applies `tension to thestitch until it'ruptures, as shown in FlG. 5,

and the fastener becomes released from the strip r2 with the remainingfasteners stillin engagement therewith'.

upon the tightness of the lline of stitches, the stitch 6 will ruptureeither before .the Vhead reaches the central area 26 or shortlythereafter as tension further increases. The lower stitch, Le., in theliney Mlwillf'rupture in the same manner as those shown in FGS. 4 and 5.

FIGS. 101through 12 illustrate a modified form of the strip shown vinFIG; V`6. The modified strip may be made ot the same substance vas inthe strips hereinabove described and includes, as does'the FIG; 6'strip,a marginal Vcamming surface or area 2S inclinedfat an acuteangle to acentral. area designated generally by-gthe reference characterS and theaxes A of the assemblednails; This strip also if desired, may include alower marginal in-V clined surface 30 although it is not necessaryto theinvention. l r r r Y,

In the central area or surface of the FIIG'. 10 strip there vare formedby die rolling, stamping-,molding or the like,

a line of ridges40, each ridge being separated byl a valley 42 ofapproximately the .same diameter as the shank-1610i the nailtobe securedto the/strip. The

valleys arek oriented parallel-to veach other-andV on. an angle withrespect tothe major axis B of thef strip as taught in theabove-identified Sillars Patent `No. 3,031,-

n 6,70(v The valleys-42 receive Vthe Shanks 16' offthe nails While thefastenersshown in the drawings are common i nails, this invention is notlimited to that type noris it limited to Vnails of any kind but isequally applicable to yelongated articles in general having a shank; andan enlarged end. For example, screws may be secured to theV holdingstrips and arecapable of being removed thereand adjacent ridges, i.e..apairof ridges `assist the lines 32 and 34 of stitches 6 inmaintainingthe nails in oriented, shingled and parallelr'evlationsliip'.v The vridges'iand valleys'ttl, 42 alsoolferadditionalrigidity to the strip in a direction transverselyfof`thefmajor ,axis B,'i.e`., lengthf 46,542- also will assist in cammingthe. fasteners outwardfrom inthe sameV manner as the nails` hereindisclosed. 1

Furthermore, a wedgefshaped nail, i.e.r one having no discernible head,such as a cut flooring nail'or horseshoe nail,

would operate torrupture the stitches in the same manner as a common orsinker nail. The articles must have Shanks and at least one enlargedend.

FIGS. 6 through V9illustrate. a modified formof a strip.; 60 Thisstripof sheet material may .be madegof the 24. same substances as the stripsillustrated in FIGS. 1 to 5, but it includes a first area or surface26also known as the central yarea or surfaceand a second marginalarea .or

camming surface 28 inclinedV at an vacuteangle to lthesurface 26. Thevnon-planar strip 24, if desired, may also include a lowerjmarginalsurface 30 which, while` it has no function in releasing the fastenerfrom the strip,.produ'ces than the flat strip-2 of FIGS. "l `to`5,.oronel having only by two lines of stitches 32, k354, the second linebeing ,op

a strip ofv channel-like crosssection which is more rigid; i

ly of the strip as their headsk 12 move over the ridges, furth'erto.insure rupture of the :stitches 6 forming the lowerY line 54. v f

FIGS. 13 through; 15 illustrate stillanothervmodication of the fastenerstrip which includes/ in the central area 26 or rst surface,sa'singleqline" 7 kof individual stitches 6 securing fasteners,vsuch'asnails, to thevstrip.V VThis strip uwill' be seen to includetwo;parallel lines41 andl 43 offridges 44 and valleys 46 located. on'opposite sides of the surface 26..v `The ridges-41L and 43 Aare formedas La continuation of'upper and lower-inclined surfaces .or

areas-Maud 5tlg respectively,and are located inwardlyk of their edges.The-.areas 48, and will .bef seen to `be `slightly longerithanthecorresponding surfaces 28 and single stitch line 7 through k,thecentralportion 26Vof thestrip.. Y In neither vthe FIG. 11 northe FIG. 14modilication n is it necessary for' the nailfshankl to -be-y assembledin; initial-engagement ,with the? flatportions` ofthey central areas 3Sand 26 of the respective strips. Furthermore, as illustrated in FIGS. 8to 10, the heads 12 of the fasteners may either be initially inengagement with or be engageable with the camming surfaces 28 and 4g.Fasteners oriented as such are removed from the FIG. 11 and FIG. 14strips in the same manner as they are removed from the FIG. 6 strip.

While all of the foregoing modifications are illustrative examples offastener holding means in the form of one or more lines of stitches withthe fastener being held by one stitch of the line it forms a part of, inaccordance with this invention the holding means may be any equivalentyreleasable means, for example, a line of staples, one

staple of a given line holding the fastener to the stripf Upon beingcammed outwardly of the strip, the staples legs would pull out of thestrip or the staple would rupture. Another equivalent of either thestitches or the staples is either a continuous or interrupted line orfrangible cement or adhesive by which each nail or the FIG. 14modification, for example, would be secured to the central area 26. Thefrangible adhesive or cement would pull away from the area 26 of thestrip upon the application of suliicient force or would break out aroundthe nail. The individual adhesive dabs could be independent of eachother or merge into one another forming a continuous line of adhesive.It is also contemplated that the adhesive could be applied over theentire portion of the nail shank overlying the strip in the valleys 46,as well as, in the central area 26. Similarly, in the modification shownin FIGS. 6 and 11 the nails may be v secured by more than one line ofdabs of adhesive or continuous lines of adhesive. Furthermore, theadhesive may engage a length of the shank of the nails so as to secure alonger portion of the nail shank to either the valleys 42 and/or theliat lportions of the areas 38 and 26 of the FIGS. 1l and 6modifications, respectively;

FIGS. 16 through 18 illustrate one, and FIGS. 19

,through 21 illustrate another modification wherein the holding meansare not necessarily frangible nor will they separate from the strip butin each instance are integral yieldable portions of the strip. In theFIG. 17 modilicationA the Shanks 16 of common nails 4 lie within grooves52 similar to the grooves 42 of the FIG. 1l modification of the strip.However, the strip is made from a relatively flexible plastic material.Each nail is held within the valleys or grooves '52 by a pair of lingers54 aranged in a line 55. The fingers 54 are formed by indenting orotherwise causing the plastic material of the ridges 56 between thegrooves to expand laterally overlying portions of the grooves 52. Forexample, a heated roll which is moved under pressure along the axis B ofthe strip in engagement with the ridges 56 will melt or soften theridges to form the lingers 54, it

being seen in FIG. 17 that the lingers are depressed slightly below theupper surface of the ridges 56'.

The FIG. 17 strip is also provided with a camming surface 28 as are theFIGS. 6, l1 and 14 modifications, the lower marginal deflected leg 5S ofthe strip being optional andbeing used primarily to increase rigidity ofthe strip and prevent bending transversely of its axis. The nails areremoved from the strip in the same manner as in the prior modificationswherein their heads or enlarged portions are cammed outwardly by thesurface 2S, whereupon tension is applied to the yieldable fingers 56which will then release the nails. The FlG. 17 fastener strip has theobvious advantage that since the holding means are not destroyed, thestrips may be reused after the nails have been driven from it.

FIGS. 19 through 21 illustrate still another reuseable form of striphaving yieldable means for holding fasteners `or other articles to thestrip. Each article, again illustrated as a nail, lieswithin one of Iaplurality of parallel grooves llarranged in aline through the centralportion of the strip. Each groove is covered by a pair of yieldable,elongated, curved fingers, the pair forming what might be considered aroof 62. The holding means thus resemble a series of parallel tunnels inthe surface of the strip, the roofs-62l being lcurved upwardly from thegrooves 69 and each having a slit 64 extending lengthwise of the holdinggrooves. The holding members may also be considered as releasablepockets or fingers. It will be noted that the strip, which is alsoformed of a yieldable plastic or the like, has a camming surface 2Swhereby when the nail is urged downwardly, its head 12, as in thesimilar modifications, engages the surface 2S causing the shank le to beurged outwardly against the inner surface of the roof 62 whereupon thelingers 61 will open along the slits 64 permittingthe nail to moveylaterally out of the pockets. The FIG. 2() modification may also berelilled with fasteners as may the FIG. 17 modification.

It will he seen from the numerous illustrations that a package ofarticles made in accordance with this invention includes a strip ofpackaging material to which a plurality of articles are secured byfrangible or releasable means including members, such as, staples,stitches, frangible cement, or releasable fingers or pockets. Thearticles may be oriented in various ways relative to the strip but anenlarged portion, such as the head or broad end of a tapered nail, mus-tbe in engagement or become engageable with at least a portion of thestrip which acts as a camming surface in order to pull out the holdingstaple, rupture a stitch, break the adhesive bond or yieldably urge thearticle out of a groove or pocket in which it is held. The axes of thearticles shanks are initiallyv inclined at acute angles at least with aportion of a surface of the strip, i.e., the respective cammingsurfaces. Note also that in all modifications the nail heads or theequivalent enlarged end part of the articles if it is a cut flooringnail or horseshoe nail for example, are initially spaced from the stitchor other holding member or strip portion which secures its shank to thestrip, and at least a portion of the shank engages the strip initiallyin every modification. In other words, more than just the head of afastener-must be initially in engagement with the strip.

Having thus described our invention, `what we claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A package of articles such as fasteners and the like, each articlehaving a shank and an enlarged end, said package comprising a strip ofsheet material, at least one line of rupturable stitches securing thearticles to kthe strip, each article being secured by. a single stitchof each article having a shank and an enlarged end, said packagecomprising a strip of sheet material, at least one line of releasableplastic lingers securing the articles to the strip, each article beingsecured by a single pair ofreleasable fingers of the line of which` theyare apart, said strip including means cooperative with the enlarged endAof each article to exert `a component of force normal to the strip whenthe article is moved lengthwise yof itself thereby to releasel thearticle from the plastic fingers securing it to the strip. v

3. A package of articles such as fasteners `andthe like, each articlehaving a shank and an enlarged endproviding a head angularly projectingfrom the shank, said package comprising only a single strip of sheetmaterial having at least one line of releasable members removablysecuring the articles to a side of the strip with the axis of yeacharticle forming an acute angle with at least a portion of the sidesurface of the' strip, each article having spaced contacts with thestrip surface at its head and its shank, each article being secured by asingle member of the line of which it is a part engaging its shank at alocation spaced from its enlarged head end. c

one line of rupturable stitches removably securing the articles to thestrip with the axis of each article forming an acute angle with at leasta portion of the surface of thel strip, each article being secured by asingle stitch of the line of which it is a part engaging its shank at alocation spaced from its enlarged end.

5. A package of articles such as fasteners and the like.

each article having a shank and an enlarged end, Said package comprisinga Strip of plastic material and at least one line of releasable plasticfingers removably securing the articles to the strip with thefaXis ofeach article for i-- ing an acute angle with at least aportionof thesurface of the strip, each article being securedbyy a single pair offin-gers of the line of which they are -a part," said fingers engagingthe shank of the article .at a location spaced from its enlarged end.` Y

6. A package of articles Such as fasteners and the like, each articlehaving a shank and an enlarged end providing a head projecting laterallyfrom the shank,-the package comprising a unitary strip of sheet materialhavingv at least one line of releasablemembers removably securing ythearticles to one side of the strip, a single securing member of the lineof which it is a part engaging the shank of each article, each articlebeing oriented with the axis of its shank at an acute angle with atleast a portion of thegsurface of said one side of the .strip and withits enlarged end engageable with said portion `and spacedfrom said`securing member before said'member releases the article, there being atriangular opening defined by said 'side of the Strip and that portionof the shank ofA each article adjacent to its head, whereby when theenlarged end of the article is moved toward Vthe securing ymemberengagement between lthe enlarged end` and said .surface'causes tensionto be applied progressively to the securing member until it releases thearticle.

7. A package of articles suchras fasteners and the like, each larticlehaving a shank and an enlarged end, the

lpackage comprising a strip `of sheet material and at least one line kofrupturable stitchesremovably Securing ythev articles to the strip, asingle Stitch of the line of which it is a part engaging the shank ofeach article, veachV Iarticle being oriented With the axisV of its shankat an acute angle with at least a portion of the surface of the.

strip and withyits enlarged end- .engageable with Said portion andspacedfrom said stitch before the stitch releases the article, wherebywhen the enlarged end of the article is moved toward theStitch-engagement between the enlarged end and said surfacecausestension to be applied progressively to the stitch until itruptures and .releases the article.

' 8.'A package of Aarticles such as fasteners and the,

like,` each article `having a shank and an enlarged end,

the package comprising a strip of plastic material and at securingtheShanks of thearticles to theV strip with' at least a portion of theShanks overlying said marginal area Va first area and a second marginalarea inclined at an acute angle thereto, rupturable stitches in thefirst area securing the Shanks `of the articles to the strip with atleasta portion of the Shanks overlying said marginal area and with theenlarged ends spaced from said stitches and engageable with saidmarginal area.

lll A package of articles such as fasteners 'and the like, each articlehaving a shank and ancenlarged end,

the package comprising a strip of plastick material having a first areaand-a Second marginal area inclined at an acute angie thereto,releasable plastic fingers in :said first area Securinthe Shanks of thearticles to Vsaidstrip with at least a portion of the` Shanks overlyingsaid marginal area and'with the enlarged ends-spaced from said releasable plastic lingers and engageable with said marginal area.

12. A package of articles suchas fasteners andthe like, each articlehaving a shank andanenlarged end, the package comprising a StripV ofsheet material having a first area and a` second marginal area inclinedat an acute angle thereto, releasable members-,in therst area securingthe Shanks of the articles to the strip with at least a'portion of theShanks overlyingsaid marginal area and with the enlarged ends spaced,from said releasable securing members and engageable with said marginalarea, and-atleast one Vline of spaced ridges in said first area with theshanks of thearticleslying between adjacent individual ridges of ,theline `of which they are a part.

13. A package ofarticles such as Vfasteners andthe like, each articlehavingfa shank and an enlarged end, the .package comprisinga strip ofsheet material having a first area anda Second marginal area Vinclinedatan the package comprising a Strip` of Sheet material having iakcentral area and two marginal` areas inclinedv atacute angles to thecentral area and diverging away 'from each other, two lines of lspacedparallel ridgesiextending lengthwise of the strip `inwardlyofytheouter'edges "ofqsaid marginal 'inclined areas, releasable membersinthe central area between 'saidV lines-ofiridgessecuring lthe Shanks anacute angle with atleast a portion of the surface of i thestripvvandwith its enlarged end engageable with" Said portion and spacedfrom said pair yof fingers before said fingers yrelease kthe article,whereby when the" enf larged end ofthe article is moved towardthepai'rvof fingers engagement between the enlarged rend Aand .Said

surface causesvthe article lt-o apply vtension progressively 'to thefingers until they release the article'. Y 9. A package of articles suchas fasteners andthe like, each article having a shankyand an enlargedend,

the package comprising a stripof sheet material having i Y a first areaand a second marginal'area inclined at'an acuteangle thereto, releasablemembers yin the first area of the articles to said strip with theshankslying between adjacent individualk ridges of each line and ratleast a portion of the Shanks overlying one marginal inclined area withthe enlargedy endsengageable therewith 'and spaced from saidreleasable:Securing members.

l5. A package of articles Such'as fasteners and the like, each articlehavinga shankand an enlarged end,

vrthe package comprisinga strip of Sheet material having a"cent ral areaLand two marginal areas inclined at acute angles to thecentral area anddiverging awayfrom each other, two lines of parallelv groovesv extendinglengthwise of the Strip inwardly of the outeredges ofy the, marginaly ina single groove of each line-and at least va yportion-ofr theshankoverlyingone marginal inclinedarea Vand with the enlarged endengageable therewith and spaced from said releasable securing members.

16. Ar package of articles such as fasteners and the like,V each articlehaving a shank and an enlarged end,

the package comprising a strip of sheet material having a central areaand -tWo marginal areas inclined at acute angles to the central area anddiverging away from each other, two lines of parallel grooves extendinglengthwise of the strip and located inwardly of the'outer edges of kthemarginal inclined` areas, a line of ruptrable stitches like, eacharticle having a shank and an enlarged end? the package comprising astrip of sheet material having a central area and two marginal areasinclined at acute angles to the central area and diverging away fromeach other, two lines of spaced parallel ridges extending lengthwise ofthe strip and located inwardly of the outer edges of said marginalareas, a line of rupturable stitches in i the central area between saidlines of ridges securing the Shanks of the articles to said strip witheach article lying between adjacent individual ridges of each line andsecured by a single stitch and with at least a portion of the Shanksoverlying one marginal inclined area with the enlarged ends engageabletherewith and spaced from said line of stitches.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS415,175 2,867,806 Ganton Jan. 13, 1959 3,031,670 Sillars May l, 1962Proutyl Nov. 12, 1889

3. A PACKAGE OF ARTICLES SUCH AS FASTENERS AND THE LIKE, EACH ARTICLEHAVING A SHANK AND AN ENLARGED END PROVIDING A HEAD ANGULARLY PROJECTINGFROM THE SHANK, SAID PACKAGE COMPRISING ONLY A SINGLE STRIP OF SHEETMATERIAL HAVING AT LEAST ONE LINE OF RELEASABLE MEMBERS REMOVABLYSECURING THE ARTICLES TO A SIDE OF THE STRIP WITH THE AXIS OF EACHARTICLE FORMING AN ACUTE ANGLE WITH AT LEAST A PORTION OF THE SIDESURFACE OF THE STRIP, EACH ARTICLE HAVING SPACED CONTACTS WITH THE STRIPSURFACE AT IES HEAD AND ITS SHANK, EACH ARTICLE BEING SECURED BY ASINGLE MEMBER OF THE LINE OF WHICH IT IS A PART ENGAGING ITS SHANK AT ALOCATION SPACED FROM ITS ENLARGED HEAD END.